The Stamford Police Department is urging residents to be vigilant after warning signs of a growing “gold courier” scam that often targets older adults. Local officers said fraudsters pressure victims to turn bank assets into cash or purchase precious metals and then send couriers to pick up the valuables in person.
What Stamford residents should know
Police say scammers frequently pose as representatives of federal agencies, banks, tech firms or technical support teams and falsely claim that a victim’s accounts or investments are at risk. The perpetrators then instruct victims that the only way to protect their money is to withdraw funds or buy gold or silver.
"No federal or local government will ever ask you to convert currency and/or provide cash or gold to anyone," police said. "Anyone who does this is scamming you."
The Stamford advisory notes this is not an isolated issue nationally: in 2025, Americans reported losses totaling more than $300 million tied to gold courier scams across about 725 complaints.
| Year | Reported Losses | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $300 million+ | ~725 |
How to protect yourself and loved ones
- Refuse unsolicited requests to withdraw money, buy precious metals or hand over cash or valuables to anyone.
- Verify any caller or email by contacting the agency or company directly using official contact information — do not use numbers provided by the caller.
- Discuss suspicious requests with a trusted family member, friend or financial advisor before taking action.
Stamford Police advise that no legitimate government or local agency would instruct a resident to convert funds into gold or cash and then arrange for someone to pick them up.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized is asked to contact local law enforcement. Police also recommend filing a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center to assist federal investigators tracking these schemes.
Local authorities continue to monitor reports and are sharing information to help prevent additional losses, with an emphasis on protecting seniors and other vulnerable residents from in-person courier frauds.
